Conviction and Empowerment in the Sanctification Process
Conviction and Empowerment in the Sanctification Process
The concept of sanctification is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and made holy. At its core, sanctification involves a transformation that is both a work of God and a response to God's grace by the believer. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, sanctification is "the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration" [1]. This definition underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in the sanctification process.
The biblical basis for sanctification is found in various passages. For instance, Leviticus 22:16 highlights the importance of sanctification in the context of the priestly code, where it is associated with being set apart for God's service [4]. In the New Testament, 1 Timothy 4:5 notes that sanctification occurs "through the word of God and prayer" [5]. This indicates that sanctification is not merely a moral reformation but a spiritual process that involves the Word of God and the action of the Holy Spirit.
Theological traditions have interpreted sanctification in different ways. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on Exodus 29:44, emphasizes that true sanctification comes from God and is not merely a human or symbolic act [6]. Similarly, the Presbyterian tradition, as seen in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 1 Peter 3:15, understands sanctification as involving the hallowing of Christ in the heart, making Him the dwelling place of God's Spirit [7].
The process of sanctification is closely tied to the concept of empowerment. Believers are not only convicted of their sin and turned towards God, but they are also empowered to live a life that is pleasing to Him. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, sanctification is "effected by God" and involves separation to God's service [2]. This empowerment is a work of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to mortify sin and live a life of obedience to God.
The relationship between justification and sanctification is also significant. Justification is a forensic term that refers to the declaration of a believer as righteous before God, based on the righteousness of Christ [3]. While justification is a one-time act, sanctification is a process that continues throughout a believer's life. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note on Philippians 3:9, the righteousness that comes from God is not based on human works but on faith in Christ [9].
The empowerment that comes through sanctification is not limited to individual believers but also has a communal dimension. The church is seen as being sanctified and cleansed by Christ, as noted in the commentary on Ephesians 5:26 [8, 10]. This communal aspect of sanctification underscores the importance of the church as a community that is set apart for God's purposes.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justification — A forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; an”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 22:16 (BSB) — by allowing the people to eat the sacred offerings and thus to bear the punishment for guilt. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.””
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (ASV) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 29:44: I will sanctify - both Aaron and his sons - So we find the sanctification by Moses according to the Divine institution was only symbolical; and that Aaron and his sons must be sanctified, i.e., made holy, by God himself before they could officiate in holy things. From this, as well as from many other things mentioned in the sacred writings, we may safely infer that no designation by man only is sufficient to qualify any person to fill the office of a minister of the sanctuary. The approbation and consecration of man have both their propriety and use, but must never”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it - The Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, as the woman is the spouse of the man; and, to prepare this Church for himself, he washes, cleanses, and sanctifies it. There is certainly an allusion here to the ancient method of purifying women, who were appointed to be consorts to kings; twelve months, it appears, were in some instances spent in this purification: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other things, for the purifying of women. See the case of Esther, Est 2:12; see also Ps”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:9: be found in him--"be found" at His coming again, living spiritually "in Him" as the element of my life. Once lost, I have been "found," and I hope to be perfectly "found" by Him (Luk 15:8). own righteousness . . . of the law-- (Phi 3:6; Rom 10:3, Rom 10:5). "Of," that is, from. righteousness . . . of God by faith--Greek, "which is from God (resting) upon faith." Paul was transported from legal bondage into Christian freedom at once, and without any gradual transition. Hence, the bands of Pharisaism were loosed instantaneously; and opposition to”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:26: sanctify--that is, consecrate her to God. Compare Joh 17:19, meaning, "I devote Myself as a holy sacrifice, that My disciples also may be devoted or consecrated as holy in (through) the truth" [NEANDER] (Heb 2:11; Heb 10:10; Heb 13:12 see on Heb 10:10). and cleanse--rather, as Greek, "cleansing," without the "and." with the washing of water--rather as Greek, "with," or "by the laver of the water," namely, the baptismal water. So it ought to be translated in Tit 3:5, the only other passage in the New Testament where it occurs. As the bride passed”